At pallium Mass, Cupich calls for mercy toward nontraditional families

[gilliam]

CHICAGO – Catholics must avoid being rigid, embrace change, and show mercy, not harsh judgment, toward nontraditional families.

That was the message from Chicago’s Archbishop Blase Cupich Sunday afternoon after receiving his pallium, a wool stole that is a piece of liturgical regalia symbolizing his connection to the pope, from the papal ambassador to the United States.

In a 15-minute homily, Cupich said bishops and other Catholics should avoid “absolutizing one particular era” by remembering the richness and diversity of their faith.

At the same time, the Church should be “open to new avenues and creativity when it comes to accommodating families, particularly those who are broken, those who have suffered” and “not settle for solutions that no longer work, expressions that no longer inspire, and ways of working that stifle creativity and collaboration.”

He cited St. John XXIII, a reformer pope credited with ushering the Catholic Church into the modern era with his launch of the Second Vatican Council, and Pope Francis, highlighting his calls to protect the environment and to find new approaches to pastoral ministry.

cruxnow.com/church/2015/08/23/at-pallium-mass-cupich-calls-for-new-avenues-and-creativity-on-family-issues/

 

[JurisPrudens]

How are we supposed to react?

 

[Ender]

How are we supposed to react?

Exactly. There is nothing said here that can be addressed. Other than give the appearance of identifying one side of the debate as rigid, unwilling to embrace change, without mercy, and harsh, these comments do not forward the discussion at all.

Ender

 

[Brendan]

Exactly. There is nothing said here that can be addressed.

That was my thoughts.

I presume that there is not an implication that the Church is not merciful to anyone. One cannot not do wrong when they emulate the Church.

 

[katy]

Of course we should show mercy to everybody, since we need it ourselves. That being said and definitely affirmed, sometimes I wince when hearing statements like that because in my long experience it sounds as if it could be doublespeak. As in, " If you agree mercy and new approaches are a good thing, then anything I propose you have to agree is a good thing." I feel we have been betrayed over and over for decades by people who say one thing but mean a totally different interpretation. Overly sensitive? Maybe, just trying to put the OP’s concern into a slightly different context.

 

[SuperLuigi]

If I read the responses on here correctly, it sounds like the direction the conversation is going is people are concerned those non-traditional families who get mercy may mistake it for approval?

 

[graciew]

Exactly. There is nothing said here that can be addressed. Other than give the appearance of identifying one side of the debate as rigid, unwilling to embrace change, without mercy, and harsh, these comments do not forward the discussion at all.

Ender

Yes it can. Pastoral. Being creative and merciful.
We tend to forget that there are persons willing to return. There are wounds ,stories…
We tend to go to doctrine and the theory. And that is fine. And easy. It is there.
But how can we help ? The world us huge. Maybe it works fine here but awful there or somewhere.
When the Church speaks she sees the need to do so. They do not invent things.
Pastoral , all of us smelly sheep need the Shepherd.
How can we lovingly help our brothers and sisters.?
Noisy ,activists take a lot of space.
There are persons who need help in good faith.
Yes , Reconciliation and a process but what sounds easy for many is very difficult for others.
Yes , we need a lot of Mercy.
Bless you all ! Come on ! Think of.good practical and ways to help !

 

[JurisPrudens]

If I read the responses on here correctly, it sounds like the direction the conversation is going is people are concerned those non-traditional families who get mercy may mistake it for approval?

Precisely

 

[graciew]

Precisely

Yes ,but we are not on the loudspeaker. We can understand in good faith and we know our parishes and neighbours and we can be a tiny light for good people who may need a hand in the process to return.
Please ,let us stay positive even for a few that need hope.

 

[ctb95]

The term “mercy” gets thrown around a lot by those who would like to change Church teaching on these matters.

It is true mercy to go to those who are living in a state of sin and helping them. It is not “mercy” to overlook someone’s problems and leave them in a state of sin and despair.

 

[graciew]

The term “mercy” gets thrown around a lot by those who would like to change Church teaching on these matters.

It is true mercy to go to those who are living in a state of sin and helping them. It is not “mercy” to overlook someone’s problems and leave them in a state of sin and despair.

We all live in sin ,struggling ,
Has any good friend ever had a ear as big as could be until you started to see the truth yourself ?
Has any priest ever heloed you swim when you felt you were swimming in jelly until you could finally stand up ?
If I have been one of those lucky ones ,I wish that same love I received for all.
God is unendlessly merciful. We ve got to be up to such a Father.
In gratitude.

 

[pnewton]

I really have no reaction. The Holy Father has called this synod for the specific purpose AB Cupich has outlined. We have some Church leaders that are focusing on the needs and the goals, and others who focus on the limits. Both voices will be needed.

 

[_Abyssinia]

You can read the text of his homily here.

The Archbishop explained the tradition of the pallium and the unity of his ministry with that of the Pope and said,

So, too, the pope guards the treasures of our faith so that nothing is lost, ever keeping before us the entire tradition, lest we end up absolutizing one particular era.

O’Loughlin reported these words as:

Cupich said bishops and other Catholics should avoid “absolutizing one particular era” by remembering the richness and diversity of their faith.

Is it just me, or does it seem that O’Loughlin made the Archbishop say precisely the opposite of what he actually said?

patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/08/did-archbishop-cupich-really-call-for-mercy-for-nontraditional-families.html

 

[graciew]

patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/08/did-archbishop-cupich-really-call-for-mercy-for-nontraditional-families.html

To tell you the truth , Abyssinia ,I have sort of learnt to do away with headlines and tend to read the actual words if possible,in this case the Archb.’ s.
What authors add or paraphrase ,I try and skip if I can.
Nothing as clear as the whole in context.
We have had a lot of misinterpretations and such already.
Thank you.

 

[Seamus_L]

I’ve seen quite a few Catholic parishes with a real “anything goes” level of acceptance. Lot’s of couples openly living togather, etc, and still very involved in their church.

 

[zz912]

What changes am I being asked to accept?

 

[Ender]

The term “mercy” gets thrown around a lot by those who would like to change Church teaching on these matters.

It is true mercy to go to those who are living in a state of sin and helping them. It is not “mercy” to overlook someone’s problems and leave them in a state of sin and despair.

I agree with you. This generic “mercy” approach also includes a misunderstanding of the nature of mercy itself. Mercy, like confession and reconciliation, presupposes contrition. Just as there can be no absolution without contrition, so too can there be no mercy. Mercy means forgiveness of sins to the contrite; it assuredly does not mean the mere dismissal of the responsibility of sin from those who have no intention of changing and avoiding the same sin in the future.

Ender

 

[LongingSoul]

How are we supposed to react?

With optimism and joyful anticipation of the wisdom that will come out of the synod?

 

[Colorad007]

With optimism and joyful anticipation of the wisdom that will come out of the synod?

Sure, because of courageous defenders of truth, like Cardinal Sarah, and just about all of the African bishops, who will be in attendance. That is at least one reason for optimism, among others.

 

[PTL]

I agree with you. This generic “mercy” approach also includes a misunderstanding of the nature of mercy itself. Mercy, like confession and reconciliation, presupposes contrition. Just as there can be no absolution without contrition, so too can there be no mercy. Mercy means forgiveness of sins to the contrite; it assuredly does not mean the mere dismissal of the responsibility of sin from those who have no intention of changing and avoiding the same sin in the future.

Ender

Exactly!!

And true charity is to help people get to heaven and avoid hell. Everyone should pick up his Cross and follow Jesus. These are the words of our Lord.

Use “mercy” to encourage people stay in sin is the opposite of charity.